Cliffeboy

Ok then,what sponsers were they then, and what "other things".

Good move for Sam imo. He did go a bit backwards last year,but it was his first time at doing quite a lot of fixtures and travelling. As the Reigning Prem champ aswell there was a general feeling that maybe he was a bit "up" himself.He became a victim of Somerset`s run in when they dropped him for Monberg , because of the amount of fixtures he was going to miss. He didn`t take that to well and it seems there was a bit of an upset at the end which was unfortunate.It is all about experience though, and we forget he is still only 21. A move away from the other top Aussies will hopefully take some pressure off,it certainly didn`t do Doyley any harm last season ! The Sam Masters from 2011 will be an excellent plus for any team,and with someone like Tai helping to keep his feet on the ground,it bodes well for Wolves.I wish him well.

Dakota North still not fixed up, Sheffield maybe.

Big 13 points for Doyley in his comeback meeting in Kurri Kurri yesterday,second behind Batch, also Alex won the "B" final beating Tungate and Shields no less.,well done to both of them.

I`m thinking it maybe cost as I believe the whole team is based in England this year. I should imagine the cost of having two commuting riders in the team would be a bit high, that`s assuming they were commuting.However we did start last season with only Claus coming from Europe so I see your point.

I`m surprised, definitely front runners then!

I would say probably, and for that reason I think it would be unfair to expect too much from this years Rebels.For us to be really competitive I feel that at least two of the four second strings will need to be putting on a couple of points on their averages. The obvious candidate for improving is Alex, who finished like a train last season just as he did the season before,but at the beginning of both seasons struggled for form. If he can start like he finishes,a high six/ low seven is not beyond him. Big step up for Kyle into the top five for the first time in his career. He had the luxury of staying at reserve all last term due to the excellent form of the Rebels top five, but made some excellent tactical appearances and regularly won heats 12 and 14.. Tom needs to sort his gating out, on the occasions I`ve seen him , he struggles a bit here, but is rarely off the pace. I`m expecting big things from this year, never gives up. As for the top three, imo we have the best No1 in the Prem. Was there an unluckier rider than Doyley at the end of last season. Comfortably in front in the final of the PLRC, only for the race to be stopped, and then getting injured in the rerun which cost him the title, and probably Somerset the Play offs,as I do not think he would have totalled 12 points over those the two meetings.He is fast becoming a fixture at the OTA,and long may it continue. I always quite liked Josh,not had the luckiest of times with injury and still only 24. He knows how to win and will be good backup for Doyley,as will Nick who came on leaps and bounds last term and imo was the reason Scunny did so well at the back end of the season.I can`t really comment on Stefan except to say welcome and good luck . The vibe from the pits was always positive so if Doyley can keep the team spirit going,you are half way there. Just a quick note to say all the best to Claus, James and Jesper who missed out this season, thanks for the the great effort you put in last time,I hoped you enjoyed your spell with Somerset and I am sure you will be welcomed back whenever you return. I have already wished Sam all the best on the Edinburgh thread.

If they pulled this side together it would be a front runner, I think it may be a bit Ott average wise.

To recap 1. Doyley 2. Alex 3. Josh 4. Kyle 5,Nick 6.Tom 7. ???

Tom Perry is number 6,that`s your lot for tonight folks,the seventh rider paperwork is incomplete so the management are not announcing. Looking good though.

Sensation number two Nick Morris

Number four Kyle Newman

Jason Doyle is the first confirmed Rebel. Alex Davies is 2nd Sensation Josh Grajczonek.........didn`t see that one coming.

Agree, can`t think what you would rather be doing then finding out who the Rebels will be this term. Have a nice Christmas mate, I`m already looking forward to crossing swords with you again.

I will be posting the team as it is announced tonight, should be good.

Good luck to Sam, pleased he is fixed up for next season.The Rebels management made a difficult decision over him last term, Gary May called it "one of the hardest he has ever had to make". Unfortunately Sam took it quite badly and a few dollies were thrown out of the pram. He did show some good form towards the end of the season guesting for various teams which bodes well for the Monarchs. Glad that Edinburgh are on board , good luck to them and Sam.

Don`t think cold weather will be too much of a problem OT, I remember being at the opening meeting one year down at the OTA, before the Club House was built and it was one degree that night.Provided it don`t rain or snow,they will get a good crowd imo.

Massive backwards step for Eddie surely to return to Rye if he wants to push on in his career. Bad season for him in 2012, don`t make him a bad rider all of a sudden.

That is the reason I would like him to stay as I believe he does have talent to become more consistent and up his average. Not sure if he will get up into the sevens but certainly six and halfish. What he and we don`t want is for him to stand still which is what happened to Cory, but as I said can`t see that. I laughed at your "can`t remember" quip, join the club mate, on a lot of my posts I will say things like, " I think", "not sure if", "if memory serves me", finishing with hitting the spellcheck.............sometimes furget that though.

Sorry mate imo he is nothing like Simon at all. Alex has many fine away performances under his belt,including a 15 point max up at leicester for young Australia, 8+1 in the play off final the other week. He can be a very tough customer if he gates, and has formed a very good partnership with the skipper.I think he will be a key rider next term. As for Simon, he had two good seasons at home, not sure if that qualifies as "awesome".

Is there any reason for this sort of thing at the end of the season. By all means put forward ideas for people you would like to see next year, but why, the slagging off of certain individuals who at the end of the day were part of a very successful team. James had some very good matches for us and some very bad ones,his main problem was his away form which dipped alarmingly at the end of the season. A quick look at the averages will tell you that he recorded only 10 less first places at home than Jason, for one extra match, and also was our top second string rider finishing with an average just under seven. A return which would have maybe put him in the heat leader category in other teams..I was critical of him myself during the season but mainly because of his constant gating offences which were costing us points.My spies tell me that he is very much a confidence rider, so when things are not going so well he gets quite down.He has stated that he loves it at Somerset, which speaks volumes for his character,, a bit different to another rider who was recently released by the club. If there is no place for James next year I have the feeling the decision will be taken by him in the proper fashion and I wish him all the best wherever he goes.

Don`t agree with you on this one Barney.I think the secret to a good campaign is solid home form and then pick up what you can away.I think all of our guys this year have all been pretty consistent at our place, hence the unbeaten run.I think wholesale changes would be a mistake. New people will have to be bought in due to the averages as we are well over.You always will be gambling on lower ranked riders improving, that`s why I would go with Tom and a three pointer, remember Tom himself was about that at the start of this season. It`s time for Alex and Kyle to move up into the main body of the team,and they will be under most pressure to succeed.I would certainly keep Kyle,Tom and Alex. I think from the remaining guys, Doyley is a no brainer,if he wants to double up again ( please), and JBM,who I think would be top draw in a full season. Sam has probably talked himself out of a place, and Claus who started like a house on fire, lost a bit of form at the end, but he did have two bad bang ups.One thing you can be sure of is that we will have a competitive team again, watch this space.

Have a great night to everyone who is going to the Presentation do down at the OTA this evening. I should imagine it will be a quite lively affair.I wonder who will be Rider of the Year errrrrr,I think "One Horse Race" is the answer.It will be interesting to see who picks up the other awards.I won`t comment on who I think should get the other awards as I don`t see enough matches these days unfortunately,good luck to all riders though, any award that is provided by the fans is always special.

Good team if it happens.

Somerset have a habit of securing riders nobody ever thought of e.g. Zorro,Jorgensen Parker,Jonno,Mcgowan, Sedgeman,Masters , Vissing and JBM to name but a few. All have been good signings,I wouldn`t put it past the management to come up with another little gem.